المعنى
Used to indicate direction, location, or time.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase 'À table !' is a cultural command that signifies the start of a meal, which is a highly structured and social event in France. In Quebec, 'à' is sometimes used in ways that sound archaic or very regional to Europeans, particularly in certain possessive structures. In many Francophone African countries, 'à' is used in vibrant local idioms to express intensity or manner. The term 'à la carte' is used worldwide to mean ordering individual dishes rather than a set menu.
The 'Avait' Test
If you aren't sure whether to use 'à' or 'a', try saying the sentence with 'avait' (had). If it works, use 'a'. If it sounds like gibberish, use 'à'.
Never 'à le'!
Your brain will want to say 'à le', but your mouth must say 'au'. Practice this until it is automatic.
المعنى
Used to indicate direction, location, or time.
The 'Avait' Test
If you aren't sure whether to use 'à' or 'a', try saying the sentence with 'avait' (had). If it works, use 'a'. If it sounds like gibberish, use 'à'.
Never 'à le'!
Your brain will want to say 'à le', but your mouth must say 'au'. Practice this until it is automatic.
Toast like a local
When drinking with friends, say 'À votre santé !' or simply 'À la vôtre !'
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct contraction for the sentence.
Je vais ___ cinéma avec mes amis.
'Cinéma' is masculine singular, so 'à + le' becomes 'au'.
Fill in the blank with 'à', 'au', 'à la', or 'aux'.
Elle habite ___ Paris et elle travaille ___ banque.
Cities take 'à', and 'banque' is feminine, so it takes 'à la'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct time expression.
A: On se voit quand ? B: On se voit ___ huit heures.
Specific clock times always use the preposition 'à'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase do you use when someone sneezes?
'À tes souhaits' is the standard response to a sneeze.
Use the correct form to show possession.
Ce stylo n'est pas à moi, il est ___ Marie.
To show possession after 'être', use 'à' + the person's name.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
وسائل تعلم بصرية
The many faces of 'à'
Time
- • à midi
- • à 5h
- • à demain
Place
- • à Paris
- • au zoo
- • à la gare
Flavor
- • au chocolat
- • à la vanille
- • aux fraises
بنك التمارين
5 تمارينJe vais ___ cinéma avec mes amis.
'Cinéma' is masculine singular, so 'à + le' becomes 'au'.
Elle habite ___ Paris et elle travaille ___ banque.
Cities take 'à', and 'banque' is feminine, so it takes 'à la'.
A: On se voit quand ? B: On se voit ___ huit heures.
Specific clock times always use the preposition 'à'.
Which phrase do you use when someone sneezes?
'À tes souhaits' is the standard response to a sneeze.
Ce stylo n'est pas à moi, il est ___ Marie.
To show possession after 'être', use 'à' + the person's name.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةTo distinguish it from 'a' (the verb 'avoir'). They sound identical, so the accent is a visual marker.
Yes, almost all cities use 'à' (à Paris, à Tokyo, à New York).
Use 'au' when the following noun is masculine and singular (au restaurant).
Yes, in descriptions like 'un homme à la barbe' (a man with a beard) or 'un café à la crème'.
It is always 'à midi' and 'à minuit'.
Use 'À demain !'
Usually, we say 'le week-end' or 'pendant le week-end', but you can say 'à ce week-end' when saying goodbye.
'À' is a general location (at), while 'dans' is specifically inside a container or enclosed space.
Only with specific verbs like 'parler à' or to show possession 'C'est à moi'.
This is a historical contraction that became a permanent rule in the French language.
عبارات ذات صلة
au
specialized formto the (masculine)
aux
specialized formto the (plural)
jusqu'à
builds onuntil / up to
grâce à
builds onthanks to
à la vôtre
similarCheers!
